An explosive century by captain Ronnie Irani swept Essex to a six-wicket victory over Derbyshire at Chelmsford to catapult them up the Division Two table in the Frizzell County Championship. Set 190 to win after a spirited effort by Derbyshire in their second innings, Essex were in trouble at 26 for three until Irani struck 101 from 76 balls with 12 fours and three sixes as his side scored at nearly six an over to claim their tenth victory in 12 competitive matches this season.

Derbyshire resumed on 73 for five on the final day and had added only ten runs to the total when Jason Kerr was bowled by John Stephenson. However, that was when Karl Krikken joined Kevin Dean and the pair frustrated further Essex attempts to break through while adding 67 for the seventh wicket.

It was only when Dean was out for 48 shortly after lunch that Essex saw a chance of victory in a match severely restricted by rain. Even then, Krikken went on to make 48 before he was last out, setting the target in a minimum of 34 overs, providing the rain did not return.

Darren Robinson hit four fours before he was out with the score on 16, Graham Napier was run out after facing three balls with the total on 26, and John Stephenson fell before the total had moved on. That was when Irani joined Andy Flower to put on 155 for the fourth wicket. Flower was on 55 not out when the winning runs were hit with one over to spare.

© CricInfo